Sen. Doug Steinhardt

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey from allowing ownership of real estate by governments designated as threats by U.S. intelligence assessments (specifically China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea) or their affiliated entities. It bans new acquisitions after the law's effective date, while granting existing owners a five-year grace period to sell their properties to non-prohibited entities. Exceptions include property acquired through debt collection (requiring a two-year sale deadline) or inheritance. Violators face civil penalties up to $250,000 or 50% of the property's market value, with enforcement handled by the Attorney General.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public utilities (like electric, gas, water, or sewer companies) to assume responsibility for customer complaints and property damage arising from **non-elective work** performed by contractors they hire to install or upgrade service equipment. Utilities must document how they resolve each complaint, including customer details, incident facts, communications, and final solutions. The bill applies only to work the utility arranged (not work customers specifically requested), and utilities can still contract with contractors to handle liability if agreed upon before this bill takes effect. It directly affects residential and commercial customers who experience issues with utility-contracted work.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to create special 4-H branded license plates for motor vehicles. Vehicle owners who apply pay a $50 one-time fee plus a $10 annual renewal fee, with all additional fees deposited into a dedicated "New Jersey 4-H License Plate Fund." The fund's annual appropriations directly support 4-H programs across the state. The plates require private funding to cover initial design and production costs (up to $25,000), and the program won't launch until 500 applications are received. The Motor Vehicle Commission must select the plate design in consultation with 4-H.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to act with a fiduciary duty prioritizing patients' financial interests over those of health insurance carriers. It directly affects all PBMs working with health plans in New Jersey, including those serving state Medicaid and employee health programs. Key provisions include banning PBMs from making patients pay more at checkout than they would without insurance and mandating that PBMs use all funds received from pharmacy services according to contracts or law. The law aims to ensure PBMs manage costs transparently for patients while maintaining their existing duties to health plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance carriers (companies that sell health insurance plans) from obtaining or renewing licenses to operate as pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs). PBMs are entities that manage prescription drug benefits for health plans. The law directly affects insurance companies that currently hold or seek PBM licenses, blocking them from acting as PBMs under New Jersey's licensing rules. It amends existing law to explicitly ban carriers from obtaining these licenses, ensuring PBMs must be separate entities from health insurers. The change takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create a dedicated Human Trafficking Unit within the Department of Law and Public Safety. The unit must prosecute trafficking cases, assist counties in investigations, provide victim support information, and collaborate with state agencies (like Health and Labor), local prosecutors, and victim service providers. It also mandates ongoing training for law enforcement on handling trafficking cases and requires the unit's Coordinator to annually report to the Governor and Legislature. The unit will run public awareness campaigns to educate the public about trafficking signs, consequences, and victim support.

Maddy summaryThe "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act" (S 3309) requires used car dealers to check for open recalls on vehicles before sale using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website and provide prospective buyers with printed recall information if any are found. Dealers cannot sell vehicles subject to stop-sale or do-not-drive notices issued by NHTSA. The bill mandates dealers to report vehicles with unresolved recalls (for which repairs remain uncompleted six months after initial notice) to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission every 180 days, prompting the Commission to send notices directly to vehicle owners. For vehicles with unavailable parts for recalls, dealers receive monthly compensation equal to 1.75% of the vehicle's value until repairs are completed.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1439 requires health insurance plans (including hospital, medical, health service, and individual policies) to cover orthotic and prosthetic appliances from licensed providers - including podiatrists - when medically necessary for daily activities. It also mandates coverage for *additional* appliances needed for specific sports and recreational activities like running, swimming, skiing, and team sports, as determined by a physician. Insurance plans must reimburse at the same rate as federal Medicare for these appliances. This applies to all relevant health insurance contracts in New Jersey, directly affecting insured individuals needing these devices for mobility or recreation.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SR 136) urges Cranbury Township to withdraw its plan to use eminent domain to seize the historic Henry Farm - a 21-acre family-owned property since 1850 - for affordable housing. It specifically asks the township to reconsider, noting the farm’s agricultural heritage and alignment with New Jersey’s goal to preserve 500,000 acres of farmland by 2050. The resolution also calls for state-level reform of eminent domain laws to prevent using farmland for housing, arguing this approach could worsen food insecurity. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change law but seeks to influence local decision-making and state policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the government from using eminent domain (taking private land for public use) to acquire farmland that is actively used for farming or gardening, unless the land will remain in agricultural use. It directly affects landowners with active farms and government agencies seeking to condemn such land for non-farming purposes like housing or commercial development. The key provision amends New Jersey's eminent domain law to add this specific protection, requiring condemnation only for agricultural purposes. The goal is to help preserve New Jersey's farmland, supporting the state's target of maintaining 500,000 acres for food security.